NCC Achieves 96% Compliance in NIN-SIM Linkage
…Sets September 15 Deadline for Full Implementation
…Some Individuals own over 100,000 SIM-Cards
By Patience Ikpeme
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing initiative to link all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs).
As of now, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, reflecting a compliance rate of 96%, an increase from 69.7% recorded in January 2024.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, commended the progress made since the policy was introduced in 2020.
The linkage of SIMs to NINs is a critical component of Nigeria’s efforts to enhance digital security and foster a secure environment for the burgeoning digital economy.
The NCC, Reuben Muoka said, has set an effective deadline of September 15, 2024, by which time it expects that all SIMs operating in Nigeria will be linked to a valid NIN.
Mr. Muoka urged individuals who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage or who have faced verification issues to promptly visit their service providers to update their details. Alternatively, self-service portals approved by the NCC are available for this purpose.
“We are approaching the final phase of this critical process, and the NCC seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100% compliance,” Mr. Muoka stated.
He emphasized that the complete linkage of all SIMs to NINs is essential for strengthening the trust and security of Nigeria’s digital economy. By verifying all mobile users, this policy aims to reduce the risk of fraud and cybercrime, thereby promoting greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This, in turn, supports financial inclusion and drives economic growth.
The NCC also issued a stern reminder regarding the criminality of selling and purchasing pre-registered SIMs, an offence punishable by imprisonment and fines. The Commission called on citizens to report any such activities through its toll-free line (622) or via social media platforms. The sale of pre-registered SIMs undermines the integrity of the NIN-SIM linkage process and poses significant risks to national security.
In collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the NCC has uncovered alarming instances where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000. This discovery underscores the importance of the ongoing crackdown on pre-registered SIMs to ensure that every SIM in Nigeria is registered to a verifiable NIN.
To ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, the NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024. The Commission’s expectation is that no SIM operating in the country will be without a valid NIN after the deadline.
As Nigeria moves closer to achieving full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, the NCC remains committed to working with all stakeholders to safeguard the nation’s digital economy. The cooperation of the public is crucial in this final phase, as the successful implementation of the policy will not only enhance digital security but also contribute to the broader goals of economic growth and financial inclusion.
